Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (27 January 1756-5 December 1791) was an Austrian classical composer who is often considered to be one of the most talented musicians of all time. Mozart performed in front of kings and popes since the age of five, originally playing the violin and piano. In 1781, he was patronized by King Joseph II of Austria, and he composed 600 works.

Biography
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on 27 January 1756 in Salzburg, Austria, the son of composer Leopold Mozart. His father showcased his son in front of kings since he was just five years old, and Mozart played piano and violin well from a young age. In 1773, Mozart ended his travels when Prince-Archbishop Hieronymus von Colloredo took him in as the court composer, and Mozart was treated well by the ruler. Mozart was childish, annoying, and boorish, as he had high-pitched laughter, lack of self-control, a lack of common sense, and did not have the proper respect for nobles. In 1781, however, King Joseph II of Austria decided to invite him to his court, angering the Prince-Archbishop, with whom Mozart was fed up. Mozart impressed the king and his nobles with his musical skills, as well as with his unique personality; he had many negative traits, but he was a great musician with ambitious goals, including writing an opera (in German) depicting love in a Turkish harem. King Joseph loved the play, and Mozart became a celebrity.

Mozart married Constanze, an innkeeper's daughter, Constanze, and they moved into the city of Vienna and stayed at the court of King Joseph. He lived in near poverty for years, and he failed to gain any pupils. However, he constantly put out new operas and works of music, and Mozart became a famous person. His work The Marriage of Figaro was controversial, as King Joseph did not like the pro-peasant and anti-monarchy message that was implied by the original French version. However, Mozart removed the inflammatory parts, and the play was a success. Mozart lived a spendthrift lifestyle, however, disappointing his father. When his father died, Mozart fell into a state of despair and alcoholism, and he made the play Don Giovanni as a way of expressing his feelings; the play's lead character is haunted by the ghost of his father, a general, who criticizes him in front of the world. Mozart's play was a success, and he also wrote The Magic Flute. He wrote Requiem Mass in D minor for Antonio Salieri, his "friend" (Salieri secretly hated Mozart) while writing The Magic Flute, and he suffered from exhaustion while writing both of them. On 5 December 1791, he collapsed during a performance of The Magic Flute and died at the age of 35, a tragic loss. Today, he is remembered as one of the best (if not the best) classical musicians.